"I cannot make an impression on this strong wall," said Mr. Lion. "Let us see if you will be more fortunate." At once Brother Donkey began to bray and kick, and he used his heels with such effect that in a few minutes the wall was knocked down and destroyed. "What do you think of this?" cried Brother Donkey. "Do you still think you are stronger than I am?" "No," said Mr. Lion, humbly. "Until to-day I had thought myself the king of animals, but I was mistaken, and the title belongs to you hereafter." "But even yet," said Brother Donkey, "you do not know what I can do." "Then," said Mr. Lion, "what can you do that is so extraordinary?" "Well," replied Brother Donkey, "I can eat thorns." "Thorns!" exclaimed Mr. Lion. "Do you really mean what you say?" "Of course," said Brother Donkey, "I am telling you the simple truth." "I would not dispute your word," said Mr. Lion, "but I am really anxious to see you perform this wonderful feat." "Do you see the thistles growing over there in that field?" inquired Brother Donkey. "I do, indeed," said Mr. Lion. "Well," said Brother Donkey, "I am going to eat them." Then Brother Donkey, who had not eaten since morning, began to devour the thistles. Astonished at this, Mr. Lion said to Brother Donkey: "I think you are the most extraordinary creature I ever saw, and I want you to be recognized as King of the Lions. Do you consent?" "With pleasure," Brother Donkey replied. The next day, or shortly thereafter, a convention of all the lions was held, and Brother Donkey was elected king without any opposition whatever. He reigned over them many years, and he was the better able to do this from the fact that he never disputed with his subjects over their prey. Brother Donkey ate his thistles and the lions ate their fresh meat, and all was peace in that country. XIII THE VIZIER, THE MONKEY, THE LION, AND THE SERPENT Once on a time a ruler who was the king of men, as well as the king of beasts, called his Vizier, Rustem, to whom he had confided the education of his only son, and said: "Tell me, does my son follow your advice, and does he give promise of making a worthy successor of his father?" "Though he is still youthful, the young prince bids fair to become the king of men," said Rustem; "your son is already fitted to rule both man and beast." Never was a vizier so untruthful; never had a tutor so corrupted a young prince. He had implanted in his pupil's mind the vices which were his own. He had made him greedy, unjust, and impatient at the least contradiction. The Vizier had made the young prince believe that the people whom he was one day to govern were a lot of miserable cattle who were to be imposed on at the King's will.